Introduction: Russia's Social Problems, by Peter Pavilionis The Rule of the Mafiya: Are Criminals replacing Communists as Russia's New Rulers? by Louise I. Shelley Political Corruption in Postcommunist Russia: The Case for Strengthening Democratic Institutions, by John M. Kramer The Ideological Roots of Crime and Corruption: Inside the Troubled Mind of Homo Sovieticus, by Isaac Tarasulo Russia’s New Drug Threats, by Rensselaer W. Lee, III A Disease Crisis Strikes Russia: Russia and other Soviet Successor States are becoming the 'Hot Zones' of the Eurasian Continent, by Murray Feshbach Lending a "Helping Hand: An interview with Rita von Luelsdorff by Gerard J. Janco Russian Environmental Affairs in the Transition: Can the Government Coordinate its Response in Time to Avert Environmental Catastrophes? by D.J. Peterson The Quest for a Social Safety Net, by John Guardiano The Winter of Our Political Discontent: How will Russia's Social Problems Shape the Country's Political Future? by Georgi H. Shaknazarov